When a face transformed a symbol of war into a universal symbol of peace and legacy for the younger generations.

To mark the Centenary of the Armistice, the French Historial of the Great War, is bringing to life a collaborative digital project entitled "The Unknown Face". Regardless of their nationalities or origins, millions of human beings involved in the conflict, both men and women were victims of the horrors of the First World War.

In memory of the lives shattered by war, more than 30.000 portraits were collected around the world, over several months and overlaid using an algorithm, to make up a unique digital masterpiece: "The Unknown Face", human, universal.

Launched in France in November 2018, the Unknown Face was conceptualized to move internationally and especially the implicated countries in WWI. 

Björn Ståhl: “History and hi-tech in perfect harmony in this beautifully crafted story about all the anonymous deaths in WW1. We’ve seen some great campaigns about this war before, i.e. the wonderful Mud Soldier. This one is up there among the best.”

 CREDITS 

Website : theunknownface.com
Agency : Fred&Farid Paris
Art Director & Copywriter : Yann Rougeron | François Claux
Digital Production : Merci Michel

 AWARDS 

CANNES LIONS 2019 : 3 Shortlists
D&AD 2019 : 1 Wood Pencil & 1 Shortlist
ONE SHOW 2019 : 2 Merits
CLIO AWARDS 2019 : 1 Shortlist
EUROBEST 2019 : 2 Bronze
EPICA 2019 : 1 Bronze
ADC FRANCE 2019 : 2 Silver & 1 Bronze
GRAND PRIX STRATÉGIE 2019 : 1 Grand Prix & 3 Gold
FWA : SoTD
AWWWARDS : SoTD
CSS WINNER : SoTM